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Well as usual I arrived early to see what was going on with Jiu Jutsu and I think the best thing about going to lesson is walking up to the room and hearing the slaps and falling noises emanating around the empty corridors, so nice.

I arrived and saw something strange, two blue belts showing how a technique should be done and Brent Sensei sitting back and letting them do so?
I bowed to the class and then Brent and he then told me that he was super sick and could do really nothing!
So I passed my condolences and carried on getting changed and watching the class.
Every one arrived and we had two new students come one from last week Thursday and the other came on recommendation from a existing class member.
We all got on the mat and warmed up and then did some basic movements which was fun as Joss took this and was really good! Then on to the techniques.
We did Shomen irimi nage again my most favourite technique in the world. I did this with little dangerous guy and did it quite well and we also did some reversals which I did in front of the class with Joss!
It was a strange class but well worth it.

The class also started with Brent giving another speech on how Aikido is a family with no competition and we are all one and if one doesn't work then we all don't and that how getting a black belt is not the "Be all and end all" of it!

Well it was class and I arrived early as usual and was met with a huge Jiu Jutsu class with about six or more people and one of who I noticed was a brand newbie wearing jeans and all.
I got changed as slow as possible as I did not want to get in the middle of what was going on (Some nasty and painful looking leg locks, not for me today thanks guys).
I waited for some one to arrive and eventually Joss arrived and saved me.We chatted about the usual chit chat and then we where asked to join the mat for a nice technique which I could do real easy and did not half break my arm in the process.
Class finished and it was only the three of us again me, Joss and Jerald.
Brent Sensei asked what I thought was Jerald to take the warm up but it was me, SHOCK HORROR!!!
I for got every thing and how it goes! My voice was not loud enough and it was a mess...
We then did some nice Kata which was nice and easy and I knew that no problem. I followed that quite easy!
We then went on to one of my favourite Technique's Irimi nage!
I truly showed how nice that was for me and I beasted Jerome so bad for his nasty Jiu Waza on Saturday.
At the end I noticed I had hurt me back that hard that it hurts when I breath, but I will carry on regardless...

When I arrived home I had time to reflect on this and I realise that even though I I want to reach black belt and want my own Dojo I am nothing but a real beginner who has a long way to go. I truly have a long hard and laborious path a
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Once again I set off in the cold Holland weather to the second place that Brent has foe Shinkendo.
Put side of the door was a tramp listening to the morning news on a radio he must have found or been given by some one.
I said "Hello and good Morning" to him and he replied by giving me some type of animal grunting noise which was comforting as I knew he was alive and drunk which meant he was happy and alive.I went up the stairs and took of my shoes before I entered and was met by the clacking of wooden tonfa and bo staffs.
My most favourite thing in the world is opening them doors as it is like opening the doors to an old Japanese dojo and seeing the people training hard and the noise is super nice.
I went over to Joss and the other guy and got my self changed and then started to get the mats out and all.
We started off with some basic movements and some kind of Kata and then set off to do the first set of movements which I kind of know how to do but not really in Jiu waza which I know I must do but I am finding I have Jiu Waza block at the moment and I know why but cannot stop it.
The class was nice and at the end there was more Jiu Waza and this time I was asked to do it with Jerald who had last week broken me, this week he managed to only really exhaust me and not hurt me as much.
What I did notice was that the reason why I get so damaged feet is that I fall wrongly and not in the Yoshinkan way but only in the Aikikai way and so my ankles and feet get right
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Well it is 2005 nad I received this mail:
Greetings and a very happy new year to all of you!
I hope your New Year's celebrations have been everything and more of what you were hoping for and that you are all looking forward to what will surely be a great new year for our dojo and our training together.

Tomorrow will be our first training of the year, which is traditionally known as keiko hajime (the beginning or our training for the year).

As many of you know the space that we use on the Postjesweg is only temporary and has not been without its problems. I have been looking for a new studio or space that we can rent permanently. Although I will continue looking for another space, I have found a very nice studio near the XXXXXXXX that we may start using in February. At least for the month of January we will continue using the XXXXXXXXXXX space for our dojo.

Starting tomorrow, all classes will be taking place at their normal times at the XXXXXXXX and the XXXXXXXXXXX-Plein.

I take great heart and honor in being a part of our dojo and the community that has developed around it. I am grateful for the commitment and support of all of you for being there to make it what it has and is becoming. Let's take our training together seriously in what is the beginning of the 6th year of the dojo.

I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Gambatte Kudasai,

I was super charged and ready for some real training so I went to the Thursday class which was
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